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Divorce Advice for Stay-At-Home Parents

websitebuilder • Apr 03, 2020

Divorce is sometimes the most positive path forward in life. When a marriage comes to an end, be proactive about protecting yourself. If you're a stay-at-home parent, you may find yourself vulnerable during the divorce in ways that your soon-to-be ex-spouse isn't. Consider these ways that you can protect yourself and your children during the divorce.

Gather Paperwork and Document Assets

Paperwork is a big part of the divorce. You need to have detailed documents to show the court what your family's assets are and how valuable certain shared items may be. For example, if you and your spouse have an art collection that was built together, you need to have the art appraised for a clear idea on how much value the collection has.

Gather tax returns and check stubs to show your spouse's income. You should also gather receipts for school tuition, necessary expenses for extracurricular activities, and medical and dental appointments for your kids. This sort of paperwork can show how much money you will need to support your children and yourself.

Before filing for divorce, make copies of all the documents that show your spouse's assets and current financial situation. All records of investments and savings accounts should be copied. Give a record of all your spouse's and your known assets to your divorce lawyer.

Seek Both Child Support and Alimony or Spousal Support

If you will have custody of your children, your spouse will be responsible for paying you child support on a regular basis. In addition to the child support payment, you may also receive funds for things such as child care costs and certain major expenses. Don't just accept child support though. Alimony or Spousal Support may also be necessary for your needs and will be based on your post divorce financial status and that of your spouse.

Alimony, which is also referred to as maintenance or spousal support in Idaho, can help you continue to have financial stability in the aftermath of a divorce. According to the Idaho Legislature, this maintenance might be granted by the court if you lack the resources to adequately provide for your reasonable needs and won't be able to support yourself through employment.

Some of the factors that determine how much you will receive in alimony include your financial resources, how long your marriage was, your age, and the state of your physical and emotional health. In Idaho, the court may also consider how well your soon-to-be ex will be able to meet their needs while providing you support. It may also look at the tax situation for both of you.

The fault of you or your spouse in the divorce may be taken into consideration. Also, if the court rules in your favor, alimony may not be offered indefinitely. Consider how you will fill the gap in necessary income when you no longer receive it. The court may factor in how much time it would be necessary for you to acquire additional education or training to find gainful employment.

Prioritize What Matters Most to You

Compromise is an inevitably large part of any divorce. You have to be willing to be flexible on some issues, but that doesn't mean that you can't get a lot of things that you want in the split. How is that accomplished? As a stay-at-home parent, you need to be clear and proud of your contributions to the marriage as the one who made sacrifices for the care of the family.

Start by deciding what matters most to you in the divorce. Make a list of what you most want to happen when you walk away from your marriage. Rearrange your list of divorce priorities until it is in order of descending importance. Then, refer back to the list when you are asked to compromise. That will help reaffirm your need to stand firm when protecting your top priorities.

Start Establishing Your Own Credit

Many stay-at-home parents let the spouse who has a 9-to-5 steady job acquire the mortgage and establish credit cards for the family. However, that will come to an end during the divorce. You need to establish your own credit for such things as renting an apartment or getting a mortgage on a new home, financing electronics, buying a vehicle, getting personal loans, and booking rental cars.

If your spouse has damaged your credit or you don't have any established yet, start with getting a secured credit card that has no fee or a nominal yearly fee. Choose a major credit card that will report to the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Apply for one or two store credit cards too, which are typically easier to get than bigger credit cards.

Contact an Attorney Early in the Process

The sooner you seek the advice of an experienced divorce attorney, the better off you will likely be. A divorce lawyer will be able to offer insights about your situation that nobody else can. Since every family situation is unique, this personalized advice can empower you to make power moves that you couldn't otherwise make.

Finally, protect the best interests of you and your children by contacting the caring team at Hart Law Offices, P.C., for a free consultation. Reach out when you first consider a divorce. Since we are here for you during every step of the process, trust that you have a concerned divorce attorney in your corner who is fighting for what you deserve.

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